Tag: Iberia Airlines

Total Eclipse of the Heart Day #1 “Why Blog?”

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

As many of you know this blog started out as an email to my wonderful sister, Annette, so she could keep our mother (who was in her 90s at the time) informed of what was going on with her baby (me) while I was traveling.  My incredible sister-in-law, Fayla, said “Why don’t you send the email to me because Annette doesn’t get up until ten and your mum (she’s from Australia) really wants to know what’s going on.”   Then other family members wanted to know what was happening so I included them. Friends also wanted in and before I knew it I had an email going to about 30 people.  At that point it became a blog and lots of others (many people I don’t even know) joined in and my travel blog was born. 

At first the blog was a blast but I have to confess at times it has become a burden.  Instead of chilling and enjoying a vacation I’m constantly thinking of potential blog content. Last week we went to “Magic Live” in Las Vegas.  I blogged about the event last year but this year I just wanted to learn some magic (which I did) and chill with my wife.  While at the convention my friend Bill, was boasting that last year he got mentioned in the blog.  He seemed quite proud to the point and I felt a bit guilty about not writing about last week’s trip.  Instead of writing a full blog post I can sum up the trip very briefly 1. Great magic shows and lessons (I learned a lot of new tricks), 2. Great breakfasts at Blueberry Hill, (with Bill and his son, Bill II), 3. And a stay at the Orleans hotel (a total dump where we had cold water in the shower day 1 and lukewarm days 2 and 3). 

That brings us to our current trip. Patrice and I are headed to Spain to see another total eclipse of the Sun.  We are accompanied by our eclipse expert (our son, David) and his youngest child, Julian.   The eclipse will be fun (this will be our 3rd) but the main attraction for me is seeing our youngest child, Erica.  The only child missing is our daughter, Lindsay who is busy at home taking care of her son and making our 5th grandson (due in October).  Of course it would also be great to have Robyn, Robby, Owen, Charlie, and Jesse but they have other obligations. 

The flight to Madrid was a success because David and Julian joined us in LA for the trip to España. The flight was very pleasant with an amazing Iberia flight crew.  When breakfast was brought to us I asked if they had hot chocolate.  The attendant (Christina) said no, but then said, “But I have some hot chocolate mix in my purse” I was awestruck by this kind offer but in spite of my repeatedly saying no, no, no she brought it to me anyway.  It was delicious. 

A scarey looking me with my hot chocholate thanks to the wonderful Iberia Airlines flight attendant, Christina.

The best part of the trip of course was seeing Erica at the airport.  We had to wait over an hour for our luggage.  When we last visited her in December we had to wait about 45 minutes for our luggage.  The take home lesson is take carry on to Madrid or go elsewhere.  As I said, Erica picked us up at the airport.  Yes, she now owns a car.  We will be staying in her apartment. Yes, she now owns an apartment.  She is taking some vacation time from her job to be with us.  Yes, she now has a permanent position at the Irish embassy.  Yes, it looks like we’ve lost our daughter to España.   

I am finishing up the blog and it is about 9:30 pm here.  It looks like it’s mid day in LA.   Tonight, sunset is 9:20 pm in Madrid.  

View from Erica’s apartment

As you can see from the picture Erica has a pool.  The heat is oppressive here (high today in Madrid 97° but only 77° in Hermosa Beach). We hung out by the pool and went for a brief swim.  Erica impressed us by swimming the length of the pool underwater.  I showed her that her old man could do the same while her young friend, Aparna, failed in her attempt.  I only mentioned this because we played a game of Rummikub and Aparna wanted me to make sure to tell my followers that she kicked our butts at the game. 

That’s enough for tonight.  I am starting to fade.  Hopefully I can get a decent night’s sleep and be ready to go tomorrow.  I want to have plenty of energy because we have big plans.  I would tell you what those are, but the actual truth is I don’t have a clue what we are doing. 

Ciao

Off To Visit the Baby, Madrid 2025 Day#1. “The Joys of Travel”

by reissmd, posted in Madrid

We got off to an early start to LAX today, thanks to our good friend Mike.  He has frequently volunteered to give us a ride to the airport and I think it is mostly because he feels guilty about kicking my butt during our weekend cribbage matches.  Today we are beginning a visit to see our daughter, Erica, who lives in Madrid. 

Today I fell victim to the risk of traveling from a warm climate to a cold one. I was very comfortable in Mike’s car but when I exited I realized that my jacket was safely resting on my bed at home.  No problem I thought, I’ll just buy a jacket at the airport.  Ha!  The only thing I found was something that might keep me warm in Northern California but certainly not in Madrid in December.  One thing that did warm me up was looking at the price ($699).  I messaged Erica letting her know we will need to stop at a men’s store soon after arrival.  She said the magic words, El Corte Inglés.  For those who’ve never been to Spain, ECI is the shoppers heaven.  They have everything.  From high end men’s and women’s clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, to groceries.  Mind you, not everything is in one place.  They have multiple stores around the city so you need to know which ECI store has what you need but as I said they have it. 

Our flight was wonderful.  We flew on Iberia Airlines.  The flight crew were very kind and I managed to get a little sleep. We arrived on time to Madrid.  Getting through customs was a breeze.  I went for a run in the morning but got a second work out at the Madrid airport. I’d estimate the walk from the plane to baggage claim to be about 1500 steps.  In spite of that long walk and need to go through customs we still had to wait for our luggage.  I texted Erica an update saying I think our bags might have been on a different plane because we had been waiting such a long time.  We didn’t see anything on the conveyor belt for another 25 minutes after that comment.  Total baggage wait time about 40 minutes.

After finally getting our bags we saw the sight that brought us to the country, our daughter, Erica.  She was kind enough to pick us up at the airport and was very thoughtful to turn up the heat in the car and get me to a store so I could buy a survival jacket.  Instead of ECI we wound up going to another local favorite, H & M (actually based in Sweden and not Spain). They had a variety of jackets for me to choose and I found one that cost less than the tax would have cost me for the jacket at LAX. 

How do we look? 

When I say WE I mean the jacket and me not, Erica, Patrice and me.

Sorry, I’m a little batty. I didn’t sleep much on the plane.  I need a nap.   Erica has plans for us tonight so I’ll say good night and talk to you tomorrow. 

Adios.